Perth Cultural Centre Urban Orchard

Perth Cultural Centre Urban Orchard

Perth Cultural Centre Urban Orchard

Perth Cultural Centre Urban Orchard

Perth Cultural Centre Urban Orchard

About the project

The Perth Cultural Centre Urban Orchard is a refuge for those seeking to escape the bustling Perth CBD, even for a moment in the day. It is a place to relax, to play, to meet, to harvest and learn.

The Perth Cultural Centre has recently undergone a major transformation as part of a revitalisation project led by the Western Australian Government’s urban renewal agency, MRA (Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority). The project represents an exciting and ambitious approach to creative place making that integrates innovative landscape design with strong sustainability objectives, including the creation of a community garden on the roof of a multistorey car park, known as the Urban Orchard.

The Urban Orchard is a refuge for those seeking to escape the bustling Perth CBD, even for a moment in the day. It is a place to relax, to play, to meet, to harvest and learn. There are thirty assorted fruit trees (including different varieties of citrus, stone fruit, guava and olive), all under planted with culinary herbs and companion plants to attract beneficial insects. Alongside the fruit trees is over 300m2 of productive garden beds dedicated to seasonal vegetables and herbs.

As the principal project designer, Josh Byrne & Associates (JBA) has used low energy materials and has also been responsible for the restoration of street furniture; salvaging and recycling materials.Regular planting and harvest days are giving people the tools to learn new gardening techniques, shape the site through participation whilst creating community ownership of an urban space.

The Perth Cultural Centre – Urban Orchard was recognised at the 2011 Landscapes Industry Association (LIAWA) Awards of Excellence as the winner of the Best Feature Plants and the Sustainable Landscapes categories.